Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts take a look at developing situations for the 2011 draft class:

• There’s no debate about North Carolina LB Bruce Carter. He is very muscular and well-built -- especially his legs -- and has excellent athleticism. Carter (6-3, 230) does not always jump off film because he does not make a lot of game-changing plays behind the line. But he has impressed scouts with his consistent production, position versatility and combination of size, strength, speed and intelligence.

Scouts are excited about his potential, and he will remain near the top of most teams’ linebacker rankings. He reminds us of Sean Weatherspoon, a highly productive player at Missouri who made a lot of tackles but few game-changing plays. He was a first-round pick of the Falcons last April and is starting at outside linebacker.

• LSU CB Patrick Peterson, who is expected to come out early because he could be a first-round pick, has attracted the most attention among Tigers prospects. However, scouts are debating the value of LB Kelvin Sheppard. He is a well-built player with the athleticism and speed to make plays sideline to sideline and be productive in coverage.

• The debate focuses on whether his athleticism and speed are good enough for him to maintain his level of production in the NFL. Though we like Sheppard (6-3, 237) and believe he will develop into a solid starting middle ‘backer in the NFL, some scouts don’t agree. They believe he could be another Darry Beckwith, a former LSU middle linebacker who has not been able to stick on an NFL roster.

• As we have mentioned numerous times the past two years, the trend toward the 3-4 scheme in the NFL has raised the value of defensive tackles who can stuff the run but lack pass-rush skills. Clemson’s Jarvis Jenkins fits that description. Jenkins (6-4, 310) is a thickly built tackle who has the strength to dominate one-on-one block attempts. He drives linemen backward when he bull-rushes aggressively and can toss run-blocking linemen off him easily to make tackles on inside runs. He could start at tackle in a 4-3 or end in a 3-4 but would be best-suited to nose tackle in a 3-4. Don’t be surprised to see Jenkins zoom up draft boards in the spring and become a late first- or high second-round pick.

Sporting News' mock draft heading into Week 4 of the college football season:

1. Rams, Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

2. 49ers, Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

3. Lions, Nate Solder, T, Colorado

4. Vikings, Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

5. Cowboys, DeMarcus Love, T, Arkansas

6. Bills, Christian Ponder, QB, Florida St.

7. Panthers, Robert Quinn, DE, N. Carolina

8. Browns, A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

9. Cardinals, Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

10. Eagles, Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

11. Giants,Stefen Wisniewski,C,Penn State

12. Seahawks,Ryan Williams, RB, Va. Tech

13. Redskins, Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

14. Jaguars, Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

15. Chargers, Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio St.

16. Broncos, Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston Coll.

17. Patriots, Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

18. Falcons, Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

19. Jets, Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt

20. Bengals, Greg Romeus, DE, Pitt

21. Colts, Anthony Castonzo, T, Boston Coll.

22. Ravens, Ahmad Black, S, Florida

23. Patriots, Marvin Austin, DT, N. Carolina

24. Titans, Allen Bailey, DT, Miami (FL)

25. Saints, Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas St.

26. Packers, Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan St.

27. Bears, James Brewer, T, Indiana

28. Buccaneers, Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon St.

29. Chiefs, Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

30. Dolphins, Jerrell Powe, DT, Ole Miss

31. Steelers, Jake Locker, QB, Wash.

32. Texans, Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon St.

For a full Mock Draft that’s updated weekly and more than 100 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts plus Super 99 player rankings, go to warroom.sportingnews.com.